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I know it's been done to death in the past, but I can't find an up-to-date thread on it. I'm fed up of being in the shadow of my over-illuminated mates on night rides - can anyone recommend a super bright wide beam bar light for around £50 please? I'd pay more for something highly recommended, although I can't quite go to Exposure 6-pack prices.
Don't mind whether it's a separate battery back or self-contained unit. I've had the cheap Ebay ones last couple of times and although they're OK at first, the battery capacity seems to shorten after a year or so of weekly use, so would prefer to avoid those if possible.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Best is relative..
Lately the Bikehut 1600 seems to get a lot of love but otherwise I've found (if you have the patience to wait) the kaidomain BL 70 (Cree XHP70.2) head unit [in Neutral White 4000K] & a battery from Torch of ebay, means I'm no longer riding in shadows due to my friends Six pack
I think a quality battery is where a lot of the cost lives so your budget is arguably directly linked to the problem you describe (crap batteries, not crap lights). Have you thought of buying a better battery to use with what you have? Look at https://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/ for both batteries and full lights.
I'm guessing your mates spent more than £50, otherwise buy what they got or ride in front of them and reap the benefits.
Bikehut 1600 was great for me over the weekend but has only really been used the once so can't comment on longevity. Also, it has too many modes which is a bit annoying. You have to cycle through 4 different flashing modes to get from low back to full power.
I’d 3rd the Bikehut 1600 for your budget. I think you’d have to spend a good chunk more to get more light / runtime from a self contained single unit.
There maybe some brighter separate head units / headlights if you shop around. Maybe find an exceedingly bright thing on eBay headlight only and get a decent quality battery built by mtb batteries / torchy to power it.
2 of these... https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIMSMJ900/magicshine-mj900-1200-lumen-led-bicycle-light
One on the bars and one on the helmet.
Plenty of light, lightweight, good battery life, and nicely made.
Got an evolva X8 for Christmas from the boss. Very pleased - check it out at Amazon
I bought this a few weeks ago and for the money its great.
Ive had 2.5hrs on full power from it and its a beautiful light it emits
Second hand may be your best bet - apart from some pretty good solarstorm X2 units I got from China, without batteries for six quid, a wanted ad. On here has kept me and my son in lights for nearly five years. I've had excellent Second hand magic shine and tumble and fall lights with good batteries from here for under 50 quid...
I use 2 of these on the bars;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-2000-Lm-Bicycle-Bike-light-HeadLight-Head-lamp-Rechargeable/263208355568?hash=item3d4870c6f0:g:KA4AAOSwVNNaliYK:rk:13:pf:0
And a Solarstorm X2 on my helmet.
Into their third winter now and the batteries are getting past their best; one died after I forgot to unplug it and the indicator LED flattened the battery, one gives enough power for a hour tops and the newest is still good for 2 hours on full power.
+1 for the bikehut 1600 light, it’s laughably bright for what it costs.
We bought one for the MIL at xmas. I was sorely tempted to get one myself, despite having a six pack already.
I’d pick the bikehut 1600 over the Ryder Alumia 1500 also detailed above. I have both and whilst the Alumia is marginally brighter on full chat, the battery life isn’t as good as the bikehut one and the battery indicator is worse.
Although the bracket on the Alumia as standard is better off-road. I bought a go pro handlebar mount (alloy) from eBay for a fiver to fit the bikehut 1500 to and its rock solid.
Thanks for all the advice. I ended up increasing my budget and went for a Magicshine MJ906. Used it the other night and it's ace - definitely recommended.
Sorry the thread hijack? but anyone got any experience of the Lumenator17 + Lumen800 combo? How'd it compare to the Bike Hut one's discussed?